RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Goalkeeper Jorge Muslera saved three penalties to help Estudiantes de La Plata overcome a second-half red card Thursday and eliminate defending champion Flamengo to secure a spot in the Copa Libertadores final.

Following two goalless draws in the series, the 40-year-old Uruguay veteran - who played in five World Cups - denied penalty attempts from Jorginho, Lucas Paquetá, and Bruno Henrique to lead the Argentine side to a 3-2 shootout victory.

Estudiantes, reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute when Baltasar Rodríguez was sent off, will now face Palmeiras in the final at Uruguay´s Centenario Stadium on Nov. 28.

The Argentine club will aim to break a seven-year streak of consecutive tournament victories by Brazilian teams in South America´s premier club competition.

The last non-Brazilian club to lift the trophy was Argentina´s River Plate in 2018.

Estudiantes will be pursuing their fifth Copa Libertadores title - and their first since 2009 - against a Palmeiras side that last won the tournament during their back-to-back title runs in 2020-21.

The Argentine victory marked a major upset: Estudiantes´ squad is valued at just over $61 million compared to Flamengo´s - one of the most expensive rosters in the Americas - at around $236 million. ___

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